Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-06-24
TIE SOLOMON CASE.
Woonsocket Oak. June 21st. IS

Woonsocket Oak. June Dist, 1857.
EDITOR HERALp:- Thinking q line or
two would interest your readers, will
give a short synopsis Of the solomon
Case up to this evening. The morn
ing session Of the court was occupied
in trying to find a jury from the regu-
lar panel. With one exception the pam
ell WAS full At noon it was exhausted
with twelve men in the box, but with
several preemptory challenges unused.
a special Venue OF ten was ordered by
Judge Trip aud the court adjourned
until l.;O. In about an hour alter re-
converting Il satisfactory jury was OBJ
tanned. The prosecution used their
right OF challenge in but 3 or cases
| but the defense made free use OF their
right, and by this means eliminated
the best material from lhe jury The
point OF qualification OF a juror seems
to be his ignorance. However a Jury
of more than average intelligence was
easily obtained, Very few had formed
any opinion. many had scarcely heard
OF the case. The indictment was rea.
and the opening remarks made by Mr..
Dillon. The first witness called was
DR.. j. G. Miller of Waterbury. Follow
ing him were Mess2s. Gat1in, Jones,
Price, Reggie and Slater. At the con-
clusou OF the latters testimony the
court adjourned until tomorrow morn
ing, holding an evening session how
ever to hear some civil cases. What is
the prospect OF convicting? Hard to
tell at this Wl.jing, opinions differ, but
l. Thank Ben. STANDS a good chance Of
having q free ride to Sioux Falls.
When Mr.. Dillon reached the point, s'to
which the prisoner pleads not guilty"
Is. l.. created ripple OF excitement by
eXclalming "he now pleads guilty at
the same time Bringing his fist down
with a blow on the taple Is it the in
sauity dodge? We shall see. His coun-
sci however quietly checked him and
nothing more was said.
Wednesday, June, 22nd.
Considerable interest shown in the
Solomon trial today, the court room be-
ing crowded the greater portion OF the
time. The father and mother of the
prisoner were present and their worn
haggaid looks betray ed their Intense
anxiety. Quite a number of witnesses
were examined, mostly to identify the
arms used in the fracas, and the posi-
ton IN which they were found. Draw
lngS OF the room where the murder
took place were produced by the aJtor-
neys and circumstances accompanying
The murder explained at some length.
Most witnesses showed that many hui
nor details had slipped from memory
since they testified at the last term
Of court The following named wit
nesses appeared on the prosecution:
Messfs Mcdonald, Hackett, Gunderson
Jones, Eagan, Dunkel, Nelson, Good
rich, Brown. Skies and lIousner. On
the defense Messrs Price, Cocmbs,
johnson, Adams and Ross. also Mrs.
Nolan, the prisoner and his mother.
On rebuttal, Messrs Nelson, Gallin.
illegal, and Drs. Miller and Crane.
Adjourned at 6 p. III. until $50 D. IN.
DIR. Melcher, DR.. Matthias and Mr.. Dan
berg appear ed as witnesses for the pros
ecntion. The defense called Dr.. Ross
in rebuttal.- at s p. NJ, case was closed
and Me-. Dillon commenced his opening
address. He was followed Dy L. Ii,
Null for the defense. at 1880 coult adj
journed until 8 O'clock 4. M. tomorrow
when Messrs. GoodyHoontz and Pies
ton will make closing arguments. The
case will reach the jury about noon.
Thursday o'clock 2. NJ.
Mr.. Goodykoontz's argument occu-
pied "a hours but signally failed to at
tract the sympathy Of the jury. He
Was followed by Preston with telling
effect as Was plainly noticed by all in
the court room. The charge was then
given to the jury, who retired at l2.3O